Eric and Madelyn met and became friends in August, 2021 at Wheaton's cross country team barbecue, to kick off their sophomore year at college. Eric still says he remembers the first time he ever saw her at that barbecue, but Madelyn doesn't remember meeting him. It was over a year later in 2022 when they actually started getting to know each other more at the team retreat in Wisconsin, during a theological conversation while sitting at the bonfire. Madelyn says that it was during that conversation she began to admire him for his desire to please and honor the Lord, and for his witty personality. After getting closer through team table at Saga, track meets and outings, and a few hangouts, their friendship slowly grew into more over the next few months. The saying “marry your best friend” is absolutely true in this case, and they have grown closer to each other and to the Lord each day. They are so excited to share October 12 with you, and that they get to continue loving each other and serving Christ each day for the rest of their lives!

Eric and Madelyn were headed Colorado during spring break for a ski trip at her grandparents log cabin, where her parents would also be spending the week. Since Madelyn's favorite place to be is in the mountains, and Eric knew she wanted a quiet engagement, he planned to propose while they went ice skating one evening. He wanted to make sure Madelyn had no idea it was happening, so he and her parents schemed a plan to make Madelyn think that she was the one planning the ice skating date.

During all this time, Madelyn didn't think Eric had asked her parents permission yet, so she wasn't expecting a proposal until much later in the spring or early summer.

Madelyn decided that Wednesday, March 6 would be the perfect evening to take Eric ice skating at a nearby lake. Her parents dropped them off at the lake, and after skating around a few times, Eric got down on one knee and proposed. She said yes!! - (eventually...for the first five minutes she was so shocked she forgot to respond) It was a joyful spring break celebrating being engaged!